Trouble Me by Laura Moore

The youngest and wildest of the Radcliffe sisters, Jade is the last to return home to her family’s sprawling Virginia horse farm and its unsettling memories. She never planned on a night of passion with a stranger before starting her new life as a teacher and riding instructor—or the shock of recognizing the man who gave her so much pleasure standing right there in her classroom.

Officer Rob Cooper is stunned. Not only is the woman who rocked his world his daughter’s second grade teacher, but she’s the troubled teen whom he blames for his wife’s death years ago. Worse, now that he sees her in the light of day, he wants her more than ever. Time has softened Jade’s hard, rebellious edge—she’s spirited, honest, and sexy to distraction. But will the feelings ignited in the heat of desire be enough to heal a past that needs forgiving?

The Rosewood novels are a pleasure to read. Laura Moore’s stories are her canvas, and she paints each page with vivid descriptions, realistic characters and snappy dialogue. The newest installment, Trouble Me, exemplifies how the author clearly loves what she does.

Jade Radcliffe is a young woman who has finally come into her own. Following the death of her parents, she sank into a downward spiral. Her teenage years were troubled, giving her a not-so-shiny reputation. Fortunately, with the help of her sisters she overcame her demons. After she graduates college, she decides to start a children’s riding program at Rosewood -- the horse farm she was raised on -- as she pursues a career in education. Everything is going according to plan, until the man she spent an unforgettable night with appears in her classroom and she comes face-to-face with her past.

Rob Cooper has loved and lost. His wife passed away five years before, leaving him to raise their young child. He’s tried to move on, focused on his job as a police officer and his responsibilities as a single parent. Everything changes when he meets his daughter’s substitute teacher. Jade caused him all kinds of misery in her youth, forcing him to haul the underage girl into the station on more than one occasion However, Jade is no longer a surly teenager. She’s all grown up, becoming a woman he desires beyond reason.

Can two lost souls find even ground to have a chance at a future together?

Jade and Rob have an interesting dynamic. Both struggle with their pasts and are trying to move on with their lives. Although there's an instant attraction, there's also a dark history. The conflicts are well done, as are emotionally heartrending scenes that call for Kleenex. A minor complaint would be that some of Jade’s actions are rash and portions of the story are predictable due to them. However, the book is still a treat and Jade and Rob are wonderful together. Ms. Moore doesn’t simply pull a reader into her stories; she keeps them there, living in the moment, until they’re swept away by the experience. The chemistry between Jade and Rob is deliciously hot. They don’t heat up the pages, they make them sizzle and burn. Returning characters are also a welcome treat, as the reader learns what has happened to heroes and heroines from the past.

RATING EXPLANATION:

1 Star— At this time, we at LASR do not post these reviews. If the book was boring, badly edited, poorly written, had little or no plot, stilted dialogue, and/or unsympathetic characters, we will decline the review.

2 Stars— Not wonderful, but tolerable. There may be some minor editing glitches but not enough to stop you reading. Not a wall-banger, but nothing you'd re-read. This is a book you would borrow from the library - not buy - and never check out again.

3 Stars— Good. Mostly enjoyable. You made it through and didn't consider it a waste of time or money. The story was strong enough or the conflict tight enough, so even when the book faltered, it was able to draw you back in and keep you. There's a chance you'll recommend it to a friend, but it wouldn't go on your keeper shelf.

4 Stars— Very Good. You're glad you were the one who got to review the book. You would probably buy it and would definitely recommend it to your friends. You liked the characters and the plot. The writing style was good and the editing clean.

5 Stars— Great! You would definitely buy this book. You would definitely recommend it to your friends. You really loved the characters and the plot and would consider looking for this authors back list or making her an autobuy. The writing and editing were superb.

LASR Best Book - For a book or story that is truly exceptional. You think about it when you're not reading it. You wonder what happens to the characters when you finish. You would absolutely buy everything else this author had to offer. The highest praise - and reserved for only a few.

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